George III of Brieg

What people wore

Valuable Noblewoman's Clothing

Seventeenth-century noblewomen's wills show that items like fur-lined coats, velvet dresses, and specific headgear such as caps and wimples were vital assets, sometimes valued higher than silver or jewelry.

Daily life

Shared kitchens and street food

Cooking and heating often used the same domestic heat source, and in wealthier homes, kitchens were frequently located in separate buildings or far from living rooms to reduce heat and smoke. In cities, some households shared large kitchens, and people could buy prepared foods like fried liver or żur from street vendors.

Work

Mandatory serfdom labor requirements

Peasants were required to perform compulsory serfdom labor on noble estates for two to three days each week.

Music

Stryjanka dance at home

The stryjanka dance, performed at home to the accompaniment of a violin, consisted of a stately march followed by a lively mazurka.

At the table

High daily peasant beer consumption

In the 16th century, Polish peasants consumed substantial amounts of beer, often drinking between 1 and 1.5 liters per day.

Getting around

Common means of travel between towns

People traveled mainly by horseback, in horse-drawn carriages such as the covered kocz or kolasa, or on foot. River transport was also used as a popular alternative due to the poor condition of land roads.

What it cost

Cost of poultry in Warsaw markets

In 1619 Warsaw, a well-fed capon cost 10 grosze, while a fat goose reached up to 20 grosze.